Flash light operating device



Nov. 6, 1934. E, 1 .JOHNSON ET Al.

FLASHLIGHT OPERATING DEVCE Filed Dec. l5, 1932 IIIIIIIII- /0 f @n W a m o m WQ m 1 V 7 m 1' Patented Nov. 6, .1934 n ,v l

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,979,942 FLASH LIGHT OPERATING DEVICE Everard Leroy Johnson, Patchogue, and Horace Willard Comfort, Blue Point, N. 'Y.

Application December 15, 1932, Serial No. 647,366 14 Claims. (Cl. 67-29) This invention relates to-devices for operating Fig. 5 is a plan view partly in section of a iiashlights and to the provision of means for device applied to an electric plug box. synchronizing the :dash and shutter operation to To illustrate one method of carrying the inimprove the taking of liashliglit pictures; and vention into eiect, we have diagrammatically 5the object of the invention is to provide a conshown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, one of our imen trol and operating device of simple construction proved devices in conjunction with a. camere.. and yet positive operation which may be used in In said ligure, represents e folding Camera connection with batteries or in conjunction with of conventional form supported upon e. tripod .e house current supply, the device acting as a 1l, and et 12 is the shutter operating mechanism 10 switch to complete vthe electric battery or other for controlling the operation of the camera shut- 35 circuit to ignite an electric flash' bulb; e. further ter at 13, and which in the construction shown object being to provide means whereby the ecis operated by an air tube le coupled with the tuetion of seid switch will be synchronized with control 12. The tube le has a bulb' 15 which the actuation of the shutter of e camere.; a. furalso supplies compressed air to a switch or flashther object being to provide a switch device of light'operating device 16. im the class described in the form of a plug and The device 16 es illustrated in Fig. 1 of the including ineens actuated by e, plunger or by dra-wing is coupled Witl'i'the cap 17 of e. battery compressed air for completing the electric circontainer 18 in the form of e-conventionel orsubcuit or for actuating e. switching element; e stantially conventional ilfeshlight device, modiM g@ further object being to provide a plug of the lied slightly in that en electric bulb socket le is f class described having ineensl whereby e comsubstituted for the usuel reflector heed contain pressed tube may be coupled therewith or e. ing the electric bulb. With the socket 19 is adaptplunger actuating rod attached to the plug to ed to be coupled a flesh bulb 20 and e reflector provide the duel uses of the device; e. further obdisl: 2l.

lect being to provide e. switching plug or device We also empioy e bracket for adjustebly and of the class described involving e. plunger, .e Cletechebly coupling the iiash unit in connection' spring for normally supporting the switching elea with the camera l0. This bracket structure connient ci the plunger in inoperative position'end sists of an apertured plug 22 coupled with one 'with ineens for adjusting 'the tensionl oi the oi the threaded socketsof the camere. with which spring to synchronize the pressure required to the tripod screw is usually coupled, the plug 22 gg octuete the seine with that required to actuete having e. set screw 23 for engeging a rod 24 slidthe shutter of the camere.; e further object being ably mounted in the plug. Tl'ie rod 2c extends 'to provide ebrecket structure for edjustnbly supebove Athe camere and has et its upper end e. porting the iieshing unit in connection with e Clamp Tine 25 encircling the bitery Gesine' l3- cee-mere.; end with these end other objects in The Switch Oi 0011'01'01 device 16 S SlOW'l in @il view, the invention consists in e. device ofv the detail in 2 0f the dliwlng. and e150 the menciees end for the purpose specied, which is simner of connecting the same. with the cap 17. Tins pie in construction, eilicient in use, and which is device Consisffs of a' tubum bod? 26 having a constructed as hereinafter described and claimed. a'nge 27 at lts upper end and bemg threfideas lll The invention is fully disclosed in the followseen it 28 to engage the tmeaded bore 0I a dlsk 95 ing specification, oi which the accompanying 29 of msulatnmgteal' drawing lforms epert, inwhich the seperate parts In El@ Cnstuclon. Shown It will undfez" m. om, improvement are tiesgnated by Suitable stood iet the battery 1s insulated from the casing N I, 18 in the usual manner, end the nange 27 engages ieierence characters and in which. a Washer or Ting 17a against which une ce, 1,7

Fig. l is a perspective view of e. camera showp lo@ rests so es to complete an electric ground conin@ one Of 0111 mp'ved Synchronized flash con' nection between the casing 18 end the tube le.

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triS mmmted in CGDIIBC'JOI; therewith. A In the bore of the tube 16 is a transverse wall 30 Fie. 2 is en enlarged, Sectional dem View 0f in which is slidably mounted a plunger rod 31, the 5@ a part of the construction shown in Fig. l. upper end of which is adapted to make contact 105 Fig. 3 is a view similar-to Fig. 2'showing only with the lower surface of a battery 18a supported a part of the constructiton and showing a modiin the casing 18 and normally in spaced relation lied assemblage. y with vthe upper end of the tube le. The bore of l Fig. 41s a. view similar to Fig. 2, of a modied the tube 16 below the partition wall 30 is inform or device; and, ternaliy threaded es seen at 32 to receive a. sup- 119 plemental tube 33 which is in threaded engagement therewith to provide longitudinal adjustment of the tube 33 in the tube 16 and control the tension ofA a spring 34 which seats in the inner end of the tube 33 and upon the lower piston end 31a of the rod 31.

Attached to the lower end of the supplemental tube 32 is a nipple or coupling 35, the connection being sealed by a gasket or packing 36, and the outer end of this nipple is beaded as seen at 35a to receive the .fiexible air tube 14, Whereas the in ner end of the bore of said nipple is reduced and threaded as seen at 35h to permitthe coupling of a conventional shutter operating device such as indicated at 14a in Fig. 4 of the drawingl with the coupling 35. This device has at one end a tubular coupling 37 with a threaded pa'rt 38 yfor vengaging the threads 35h.

This device includes a plunger rod 39 advanced by a finger piece 40 protruding through the end 41 of the flexible tube 42 of said device as seen in Fig. 4 of the drawing. These devices are commonly used in photography and are coupled with the camera shutter control for operating a shutter. In other words, instead of operating the piston 31a to move the rod 31 upwardly into engagement with the lower surface of the battery 18a, the rod39 of the device shown in Fig. 4 when coupled with the nipple 35, instead of the .tube 14, will accomplish the same result, it be- I sisting of a cross bar having split or yoke-shaped ends 44 for receiving the enlargements 41, and a cross arm or finger piece` 45 engaging the button ends 40 of the rods 39 and slidably engaging the cross bar 40 through a central shaft 46 so that a single depression of the arm 45 will operate in unison both of the rods 39 to synchronize the operation of the flash bulb 20 with that of the operation of the shutter 13.

In Fig. 3 of the drawing, we have shown a slight modication of the construction shownin Figs. 1 and 2, wherein the device 16 is of the same construction as that shown in Fig. 2 but is mounted in connectionwith the holder, namely the casing 18 and cap 17 in a dierent manner. That is to say, the cap 17 is slightly longer than the cap shown in Fig. 2, and a spiral spring 17h is disposed between the flange 27 of the tube 26 and the bottom of the cap 17 so that the disk of insulating material 29 is tensionally supported in engagement with .the battery 18a by the spring 17h. Aside from the method of mounting above referred to, the structure shown in Fig. 3 will operate in the same manner as that V shown in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 4 ofthe drawing, we have shown a simplified form of switch operating or circuit closing device, which eliminates the use of the rod 31, piston 31a, as well as the supplemental'tube 33 and other parts. With this construction. a device 4' substantially similar to the'nipple 35 is employed having a beaded end 48 for receiving a flexible tube 14 and an internal reduced thread 49 for receiving the thread 38 of the device`14a. and the inner end is internally threaded to engege the threaded sleeve on a disk 51 between which and the end of the nipple' 47, the closed end wall of the cap 17 is clamped.

Supported between the disk 51 or the enlarged periphery thereof and a washer of insulating material 52 is a flexible diaphragm 53 which forms a switch elementfor completing the circuit to the battery 18a supportedin the casing 18, it being understood that thel structure of the casing and cap is identical with that shown in Fig. 2. Centrally of the diaphragm, is a contact button 53a` which is moved into engagement with the lower surface. of the battery 18a, eitherby the rod 39 which fiexes the diaphragm inwardly or upwardly as seen in Fig. 4 of the drawing, or this diaphragm may be flexed by air from the tube 14,

In Fig. 5 of the drawing, we have shown one of the controlv devices 16 mounted in connection with a plug socket casing 54 in which are supported two sockets 55 and 56. For the purpose of this description, the socket 56 will receive the plug from a source of electric house current supply, and the socket 55 will provide means for supporting a flash bulb such as the bulb 20 in connection therewith through a suitably formed electric coupling element having a. plugA end. One terminal of each socket 55, 56, is coupled together, whereas the other terminal of the socket 55 hasa Vwire 57 extending to a contact 58, and the'l other terminal of the socket 56 `has a wire 59 eiitending to and coupled with a screw contactv 60 on the 'end of an insulating tube 61 which is coupled with and movable with-the upper end of the switch rod 31 of the control device 16 so that as the rod 3l is moved upwardly, it carries with it the tube 61 and moves the contact screw 60 into engagement with the contact 58,' thus completing the electric circuit from the source of supply to bothterminals ofthe socket 55 to explode the flash bulb. The casing 54 is preferably provided with an apertured block or plug 62 in connection with which a rod 63 is adJustably mounted and retained by a set screw 64. The rod 63 is equivalent to the bracket rod 24, and the block 62 is substituted for the clamp 25 shown in Fig. 1. With this construction, the casing 54 may be supported in connection with and above the camera, although this mounting is not essential. At

this time, it will also be understood that instead of connecting one bulb in connection with the socket 55, this socket may have connected-with it a circuit consisting oi circuit wires with a number of bulb sockets therein so as to ignitea -chronized control which is desirable in most photography is accomplished in a very simple and effective manner, and by means oi a device which is of economical construction, and as disclosed,

the device may be 'utilized in conjunction with a storage battery supply oi electric energy or with a house current or other eiectricsupply.

It will be understood that while we have shown certain details of construction for carrying our invention into eect, we are not necessarily limited to these details and various changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of our invention or sacricing its advantages.

Having fully described: our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

l. A circuit closing device of the class described comprising a tubular casing, a tube adjustably mounted in and in threaded engagement with the casing and projecting from one end thereof, a vswitch rod slidably mounted in the casing and tube, one end of the rod being enlarged to form a piston disposed in said tube, means at the other end of the rod for limiting movement thereof in one direction with respect to said casing, a spring seating in the inner end of the tube and upon said piston to Inormally support the rod in open circuit position, and means at the outer end of said tube for detachably coupling a switch rod operating element in connection therewith.

2. A circuit closing device of the class described comprising a tubular casing, a tube adjustably mounted in and in threaded engagement with the casing and projecting from one end thereof, a switch rod slidably mounted in the casing and tube, one end of the rod being enlarged to form a piston disposed in said tube, means at the other end of the rod lfor limiting movement thereof in one direction with respect to said casing, a spring seating in the inner end of the tube and upon said piston to normally support the rod in open circuit position, means at the outer end of said tube for detachably coupling a switch rod operating element in connection therewith, the other end of the casing including an enlarged cupshaped cap for mounting the device in connection with a support and a disk of insulating material in said cap and projecting beyond the end ci the casing to insulate the casing from one side of the circuit controlled by said device.

3. A circuit closing device of the class described comprising' .a tubular casing, a tube adjustably mounted in and in threaded engagement with the 'casing and projecting from one end thereof, a

switch rod slidably mounted in the casing and tube, one end of the rod being enlarged to forni a piston disposed in said tube, means at the other end of the rod for limiting movement thereoi7 in one direction with respect to said casing, a spring seating in the inner'end of the tube and'upon said piston to normally support the rod in open circuit position, nica-ns at the outer end of said tube for detachably coupling a switch rod operating element in connection therewith, and said last named means including an internally threaded tubular coupling detachably mounted on the outer end of said tube.

d. circuit closing device of the class described comprising a tubular casing, a tube adjustably mounted in and in threaded engagement with the casing and projecting from one end thereof, a switch rod slidably mounted in the casing and tube, one end of the rod being' enlarged to form a piston disposed in said tube, means at the other end of the rod for limiting movement thereof in one direction with respect to said casing, a spring seating in the inner end of the tube and upon said piston to normally support the rod in open circuit position, means at the outer end of said tube for detachably coupling a switch rod operating element in connection therewith, the other end of the casing including an enlarged cupshaped cap for mounting the device in connection with a support and a disk of insulating material in said cap and projecting beyond the end of the casing to insulate the casing from one side of the circuit controlled by said device, and a spring interposed between the cap and casing for tensionally holding the casing in connection with its support.

' 5. 'Ihe combination with the tubular casing of a battery holder of the class described of a switch device for opening and closing the battery circuit, said device comprising a cap inA threaded engagement with the casing, said switch device including relatively adjustable tubes projecting axially from one end of the battery casing, a plunger switch rod in said tubes, means for normally supporting the rod in open circuit position,

and means detachable with respect to one of said tubes adapted to actuate said rod to move the same into closed circuit position.

6. The combination with the tubular casing of a battery holder of the class described, of a switch device for opening and closing the battery circuit, said device comprising a cap in threaded engagement with the casing, said switch device including relatively adjustable tubes projecting axially from one end of the battery casing, a plunger switch rod in said tubes, means for normally supporting the rod in open circuit position, means detachable -with respect to one of said tubes adapted to actuate said rod to move the same into closed circuit position, and said last `named means including a manually actuated exible shaft.

7. A flashlight operating device of the class described comprising a tubular battery casing, means at one end of the casing for coupling a bulb therewith, a switch member detaobably coupled with the other end of the casing and projecting therefrom, means for insulating said member from one side of the battery circuit, said member including a tube, another tube adjustable with respect to the :first named tube, a plunger slidably mounted in the second named tube and normally supported in open circuit position, means for actuating said plunger to close the battery circuit to ignite a liash bulb supported in said first named means and the outer end of second named tube having a tubular coupling threaded internally to facilitate attachment to said last named means.

8. A flashlight operating device of the class described comprising a tubular battery casing,

means at one end of the casing for coupling a Il.

bulb therewith, a switch member detachably coupled with the other end of the casing and projecting therefrom, means for insulating said member from one side of the battery circuit, said member including a tube, another tube adjustable with respect to the rst named tube, a plunger slidably mounted in the second named tube and normally supported in' open circuit position, means for actuating said plunger to close the battery circuit to ignite a ash bulb supported in seid iirst named means, the outer end of, said second named tube having a tubular coupling threaded internally to facilitate attachment to said last named means, and a. spring seating in the second named tube and cooperating with said plunger.

9. A ilashlight operating device oi' the class described comprising a tubular battery casing, means at one lend of the casing for coupling a bulb therewith, a switch member detachably coupled with the other end of the casing and project ing therefrom, means for insulating said member from one side of the battery circuit, said member including a tube, another tube adjustable with respect to the ilrst named tube, a plunger slidably mounted in the second named tube and normally supported in open circuit position, means for actuating saidI plunger to close the battery circuit to ignite a flash bulb supported in said first named means, the outer end of said second named tube having a tubular coupling threaded internally to facilitate attachment to said last named means, a spring seating in the second named tubeand cc perating with said plunger, and means adjusta-ile on the plunger and cooperating with the rst named tube for limiting the movementl of the plunger in one direction with respect thereto.

10. A vflashlight operating device of the classl described comprising a tubular battery casing,

means at one end of the casing for coupling a bulb therewith, a switch member detachably coupled with the other end of the casing and projecting therefrom, means for insulating' said member from one side of the battery circuit, said member including a tube, another tube adjustable 4with respect to the first named tube, a plunger slidably mounted in the second named tube and normally supported in open circuit position, means for actuating said plunger to close the battery circuit to ignite a flash bulb supported in said rst named means, the outer end of said -second named tube having a tubular coupling threaded internally to facilitate attachment to said last named means, a spring seating in the second named tube and cooperating with said plunger, means adjustable on the plunger and cooperating with the rst named tube for limiting the movement of the plunger in one direction with respect thereto, and the adjustment of the second named tube controlling the tension of said spring and said coupling having an external bead.

11. A flashlight operating device oi the class described comprising a tubular battery casing, means at one end of the casing for coupling a bulb therewith, a switch member detachably coupled with the other end of the casing and projecting therefrom, means for insulating said member from one side of the battery circuit, said memnormally supported in open circuit position, means Afor actuating said plunger to close the battery circuit to ignite a iiash bulb supported in said first named means, the outer end of said second named place the tubular body in circuit with one side of the, battery circuit through said cap, a disk of insulating material Within said cap, said disk projecting beyond said tubular body .to insulate the same from the other side oithe battery circuit, and a plunger switch mounted in said tubular body.

13. A circuit closing device for battery holders of the class described comprising a tubular body, a cap projecting at one end of said body by means of which said tubular body may be detachably coupled with one end of the battery holder to' place the tubular body in circuit with one side of the battery circuit through said cap, a disk of insulating material within said cap, said disk projecting beyond said tubular body to insulate the same from the other side of the battery circuit, a tube adjustably supported in said body, a plunger switch mounted in said adjustable tube and a spring seating in said adjustable tube and on said plunger switch to normally support the latter in open circuit position. 14, A circuit closing device for battery holders of the class described comprising. a tubular body, a cap projecting at one end of said -body by means of which said tubular body may be detachably coupled with one end of the battery holder to place the tubular body in circuit with one side s tube adjustably" supported in said body, a plungerswitch mounted in said adjustable tube, a spring seating inl said adjustable tube and on said plunger switch to normally support the latter in open circuit position, said adjustable tube projecting beyond the end of said body, a coupling at the free end of said tube, and means on said coupling whereby an operating element may be coupled therewith to actuate said plunger switch.

EVERARD LEROY JOHNSON. IrORACEv WILLARD COMFORT. 

